Holdrege Public Schools Foundation Newsletter

Holdrege Public Schools

Foundation Newsletter
“Giving Back to Education”
holdregedusters.org November 2013

Who Are We and Take this opportunity to help the HPS Foundation grow!
What Do We Do? GIVE 2 GROW is a one-day fundraising event on November 21st. It’s
your chance to make a real impact when your gift to the HPS
Education foundations nationwide Foundation is matched by the Phelps County Community Foundation.
were created in the late 1970's as Last year’s match day was very successful with nearly $11,000
public school budgets across the contributed to the HPS Foundation, as well as additional matching
country were significantly reduced. To funds of more than $2,200.
offset the serious financial crisis in our Join us in our mission to enhance educational programs and give back
schools, and to bridge the financial gap to the students of HPS. Your investment is guaranteed dividends!
between what was needed for our Find out more ... click to go on the Give2Grow website below. Please
students and state and federal funding, contact the HPS Central Office prior to November 21st if you have
the Holdrege Public Schools questions. Walk-in donations will also be accepted at the Phelps
Foundation was formed in 1988 with a County Community Foundation office from 8:00am—7:00pm on
$30,000 grant from the Phelps County November 21st.
Community Foundation for the
purpose of establishing an endowment. http://give2grow.razoo.com/story/Holdrege-Public-Schools-Foundation-2013
For more than twenty years our
community has responded to the Students Benefit from 2013 Grants
district’s needs with tremendous
support, recognizing that in today’s Teacher grant requests totaling $7,560.42 were received from teachers
world, private funding is crucial for and $6,560.42 was awarded for the 2013 teacher grant cycle as follows:
public education. Our Foundation
Committee is comprised of three $1,765.42—Tom Brestel—Spectrophotomer Science Lab (phase 2)
school board members, two staff $1,500.00—Casey Klein—Capture the Moment, Teaching Strategies Gold
members, and four community
members who meet monthly and work Assessment System Implementation
on various projects throughout the $1,300.00—Jeff Moore—Agricultural Education Welding Lab Update
year.
$1,995.00—Terry Shield—3D Prototype Printing
HPS Foundation Committee
How Can You Help? Christmas Gift Giving Options
HPS Board of Education If you would like to make a Do you have the person on your
Matt Allmand, Chairman donation or memorial in honor of Christmas list who has everything and
or in memory of a loved one, to you just don’t know what to give
Tim Gustafson help us in our effort to “Give Back them? How about a gift to the HPS
Teresa Kroll to Education”, please contact the Foundation in their honor? Your gift
school at (308) 995-8663 or send a will benefit many HPS students
Community Members through the Foundation’s grant
Grant Ericksen check to Phelps County
Steve Kness Community Foundation, program.
Mary Oman HPS Foundation Fund. Please contact the school or send a
Kathy Vetter
check to the Phelps County
HPS Staff Community Foundation,
Todd Hilyard HPS Foundation Fund.
Sandy Dunaway (Ad Hoc Support)

The Mission of the Holdrege Public Schools Foundation is to support and enhance the educational efforts of students and teachers by
providing funding for innovative and challenging programs, learning experiences, and activities.

Phelps County Community Foundation, 504 4th Avenue, Holdrege NE 68949 ~ (308) 995-6847 ~ www.phelpsfoundation.org

holdregedusters.org “Giving Back to Education” November 2013

Mr. & Mrs. Rick Ackerman Thank you to all who have
Ag Service Associates contributed in the past year to
Ag West Commodities, LLC the Holdrege Public Schools
Ms. Karen Aldama Foundation through memorials,
Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Allen fundraisers, and donations.
Allmand Brothers, Inc.
Almquist, Maltzahn, Galloway & Green Landscapes Mr. & Mrs. D. Scott Latter Averil Savery
Mr & Mrs. Lee Grove Lincoln Federal Savings Bank Ms. Betty Sayers
Luth, PC Mr. & Mrs. Tim Gustafson Mrs. Pat Logue Schaben Sanitation, Inc.
Anderson Bros. Holdrege Mr. & Mrs. John Hartwig Mr. & Mrs. Roger Ludeke Mr. & Mrs. Brad Schneider
Mr. Byron Anderson Mr. John W. Hasselquist Lunchtime Solutions, Inc. Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Schneider
Mrs. Kathryn Anderson Hausmann Construction, Inc. Lundeen-Isaacson Insurance Agency Mr. & Mrs. Scott Schoneman
Mr. & Mrs. Kyle Anderson Mr. & Mrs. Bill A. Henderson Mid-States Automation & Control, Dr. & Mrs. Steven Schulz
Anderson, Klein, Swan & Brewster Mr. Robert Hendricks Mr. Rex Schwaninger
Ms. Monica A. Anderson HHS Class of 1949 Inc. Seminole Energy Services, LLC
AVA, Inc. HHS Class of 1973 Midwest Ag Insurance Servicemaster of Mid-Nebraska
Batie & Thorell Insurance Agency, Ms. Sandra L. Hilsabeck Miller & Associates Consulting Shady Grove Farms, Inc.
Mr. & Mrs. Todd Hilyard Mr. & Mrs. Robert Shearman
LLC Dr. Grant Hinze DDS, PC Engineers, PC Mr. & Mrs. Berdene Shefstad
Mr. Jay Becker Ms. Janet Hixon Mohrlang Holdings, LLC Shelter Insurance
Becton Dickinson Ms. Nancy Hoeck Mr. & Mrs. Joshua F. Murdoch Mrs. Robin Shield
Bergman Ag, Inc. Holdrege Auto Parts Jeanette M. Nedrig, CPA Mr. John L. Singleterry
Mr. & Mrs. Richard Bergman Holdrege Family Dental Care, PC Mr. & Mrs. Russ Nedrig M. C. Daniel Smith
Bilka Chiropractic Holdrege Family Vision Clinic Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home Sono Farms, Inc., Jeff Soneson
Mrs. Barbara Blackburn Holdrege Irrigation New West Orthopaedic & Sports South Central Diesel, Inc.
Mrs. Dana Brinkman Holdrege Pharmacy Mrs. Edna Suhr
BRJ Farms Holdrege Public Schools Rehabilitation, LLC Mr. & Mrs. Richard Sundquist
Bruce Furniture Ms. Phylis Stelling Hollamon N-N Transfer, Inc. Mr. & Mrs. Dee Swanson
Bruning State Bank Mr. David Hunt North Park Animal Hospital Mr. & Mrs. Robert Swanson
Bunker Hill Farms, Inc. Husker Irrigation, LLC Olsson Associates T. Buskirk, Inc.
Dr. Robert & Shirley Butz Mr. & Mrs. Scott Huston Mr. & Mrs. Robert C. Oman Titan Machinery
Cargill Aghorizons J & M Welding, Inc. Optimist Club of Holdrege Tri City Auto Parts, Inc.
Ms. Erin M. Carlson J D Lumber Perry, Guthery, Haase, & Gessford, Mrs. Sheila Tringe
Mr. & Mrs. Tom Carlson Jeff’s Electric Mr. & Mrs. Troy Urbom
Mr. & Mrs. Warner Carlson Jim Huge & Associates PC, LLO Mr. & Mrs. Frank Vetter
Casey's General Stores, Inc Jim Ostgren Consruction Co., Inc. Person Law Office Mr. & Mrs. Michael Waller
Central Valley Irrigation Ms. Betty Johnson Ms. Cynthia S. Peterson Mrs. Norma Waller
Country Cookin’ Mr. & Mrs. Eldon L. Johnson Mr. & Mrs Gary Peterson Mr. & Mrs. Richard Waller
Creative Dining Services, Inc. Mrs. Raymond Johnson Phelps County Title Company Mr. & Mrs. Monte Wendell
Curly's Radiator Service Ms. Karen Kammann Phelps Memorial Health Center Mr. Gary A. Westergren
Ms Jane Dahlstrom-Quinn Mr. Trent Kelso Popple Construction Woods & Durham, CPA
Ms. Phyllis L. Dewald Kimberly Tax Service Pro Building Supply, Inc.
Dier, Osborn, Cox & Nelsen, PC Mr. & Mrs. Michael Klein R.D.O., Inc.
Mr. & Mrs. H. Stephen Kness Mr. David Raddatz
LLO Mrs. Willa Kosman Mr. & Mrs. William Reiser
DLR Group KR Jacobson Communications Mr. & Mrs. Ken R. Rhodus
Mr. & Mrs. Jerry R. Dodson Mr. & Mrs. Donald Kraus Rick's Body Shop
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Dunaway Mr. Douglas Kristensen Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Ronhovde
Eakes Office Plus Mr. & Mrs. Richard Krohn Mr. & Mrs. Earl Root
Mr. & Mrs. Mike Ecklun Mr. & Mrs. Darrel Kroll Runza Restaurant
Mr. Robert Eden Mr. & Mrs. Brad Larson S & W Auto Parts
Ed's Electric & Plumbing Sampson Construction
Edward Jones Investments Keith D. Samuelson Land Leveling,
Erickson Agency, Inc.
Chris Erickson Farms, Inc. Inc.
Family Medical Specialties Sargent Irrigation
First National Bank of Holdrege
First National Capital Markets
FirsTier Bank
Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Florell
Fritz Bros., Inc.
Mr. & Mrs. Todd Garrelts
Gem Maker Hospitality Inc. dba

Super 8
Glenwood Telecommunications, Inc.
Grant W. Ericksen, CMFC
Mr. & Mrs. Randy Grassmeyer
Ms. Brenda Gray & Ms. Janet

Thorell
Great Plains Agency, Inc.
Great Western Bank

CONTRIBUTIONS NOVEMBER 1, 2012—OCTOBER 31, 2013

Page 2 Phelps County Community Foundation, 504 4th Avenue, Holdrege NE 68949 ~ (308) 995-6847 ~ www.phelpsfoundation.org

holdregedusters.org “Giving Back to Education” November 2013

Charles Gabus Gabus Funds Invest in Next Generation
Endowment Gift
Business Education instructor Jason Hale displays the curriculum materials
In 2008, HPS that were purchased through the Gabus endowment.
received a $100,000
gift from former This year, HHS was able to update curriculum in the area of Business Education.
Holdrege resident, Textbooks and supporting items were purchased for a number of courses
Charles Gabus, in including, Accounting, Business Law, Personal Finance, Marketing, Introduction to
memory of his wife, Business, and Diversified Occupations. The print and digital resources will be used to
Frances Hardy help our students better understand the world of business.
Gabus. Mr. Gabus Thanks to the Gabus family, their educational investment helped the school district
desired that this gift make these purchases that will be available to our students for many years to come.
be endowed and the
interest be used to 2013 Golf Tournament
MR. CHARLES GABUS purchase library and
textbooks for The fifth annual 2013 HPS Foundation Golf Tournament was
Holdrege High School. Mr. & Mrs. Gabus held in conjunction with the annual celebration of Swedish Days at
and their family lived in Holdrege and the Holdrege Country Club on June 14th. The tournament was a great success
operated Charles Gabus Ford, later moving to with 58 golfers competing in perfect weather.
Iowa. Mr. Gabus wrote that their three Thanks to the tremendous support of business and community sponsors and
children, Jan, Pat, and Gene all graduated participants, the HPS
from “the outstanding Holdrege High Foundation raised
School.” nearly $12,000!
The HPS Foundation Committee is deeply
appreciative for this gift and the impact that it
has on educational opportunities for our
students.
We hope that this gift will help to raise
awareness of the efforts of the HPS
Foundation and serve as a catalyst for future
gifts.”

Looking Forward
to 2014

Mark your calendar for the 2014 HPS
Foundation Golf Tournament to be held
in conjunction with Swedish Days on
June 20, 2014. There will be flag prize
incentives and cash payouts for the top
teams.
Proceeds will be used to provide grants
to enhance the educational efforts of
students and teachers in the Holdrege
Public Schools. Brochures will be
available next spring online and at the
HPS Central Office, Phelps County

Community Foundation,
and the Holdrege
Country Club.

Page 3 2013 Golf Tournament champions Tom Carlson, Erin
Carlson, Scott Gardner, and Charlie Reeser

Phelps County Community Foundation, 504 4th Avenue, Holdrege NE 68949 ~ (308) 995-6847 ~ www.phelpsfoundation.org

holdregedusters.org “Giving Back to Education” November 2013

Results Matter

Results Matter in Nebraska is a child,
program, and family outcomes
measurement system designed and
implemented to improve programs
and supports for all children birth to
age five served by school districts.
The Nebraska Department of
Education requires school districts to
participate in the Teaching Strategies
GOLD assessment system.
Child observation and data collection
is an ongoing process throughout the
year for all children to collect data
for the assessment.

Teacher Betty Amen and a student Teacher grant recipient Casey Klein works on numbers, letters, colors, and
record a guest speaker reading shapes with a 3-5 year age student at Headstart.
to the preschool students.
Capture the Moment
Speech pathologist Shana Nitchie
works with a student on articulating The iPad Mini may be small, but it is making a big impact in the HPS
Early Childhood Education department. Teacher grant recipient Casey
sounds with a memory game. Klein, early childhood and special education teacher, and the other
early childhood staff members utilize the Teaching Strategies GOLD
assessment system to document each child’s progress in 23 objectives
covering skills in social-emotional, physical, language, cognitive,
literacy, mathematics, and English language acquisition. Teaching
Strategies GOLD has developed an application through Apple to assist
teachers with documentation. The “app” allows teachers to record
ongoing assessments using video, audio, picture, and written form for
students in all developmental and academic areas.
Casey’s grant provided for three iPad Minis, as well as additional apps
that include Bitsboard (recognition of letter, number, emotions),
Autism iHelp, Articulation Station, Nursery Rhymes for Kids, Touch
& Learn, Count & Learn Money, Jungle Time, and more.
Casey said that the app has allowed us to “Capture the Moment”
without taking time away from student learning and parent coaching.
The app scores data and uploads it right to the NDE website, a real
time-saver! We are able to use the iPad as a “mirror” to help students
recognize themselves and point to facial features. The students have
enjoyed learning how to use the math and reading apps.
Shana Nitchie, speech pathologist, states that the mini iPads have been
very useful in targeting sounds at the word, sentence, and story levels.
The iPad also has the capability of recording the student’s speech, so
they can receive auditory feedback of how they are articulating each
sound.
Preschool teacher Betty Amen noted that information can be
documented more easily with a video clip or photo than with an
observation note. We upload the video and image files and add a note
about the context in which the information was collected.
We also take photos of special visitors who come to the classroom,
such as the librarian or fire fighters. We can then show them to the
students to, once again, help facilitate language.

Page 4 Phelps County Community Foundation, 504 4th Avenue, Holdrege NE 68949 ~ (308) 995-6847 ~ www.phelpsfoundation.org

holdregedusters.org “Giving Back to Education” November 2013

Terry Shield and Duster Grant show
the new 3D printer and items
created with its output.

CADD Students Duster Grant joins students Harley Scott and Trent Anderson in the Ag Shop to check
Learn in 3D out the new industry-standard Millermatic Wire Feed Welder.

Thanks to HPS Foundation grant New Arc Welder Keeps Ag Students on Forefront
funds and a generous donation from of Real-World Industry Skills
Allmand Brothers, Inc. of Holdrege,
a MakerBot Replicator 2 Desktop 3D Funds from teacher grant recipient Jeff Moore’s HPS Foundation
Printer has been purchased for Grant were used in conjunction with donations from the Holdrege FFA
teacher Terry Shield’s students in the Alumni Group to purchase a new Millermatic 252 Wire Feed Welder.
Computer-Aided-Drafting and The new machine was researched and purchased through Matheson Tri
Design (CADD) class. -Gas and put into operation in August with the Introduction to Power
Projects created with the 3D printer class. The machine will get more
provide students with valuable use during the school year, with
insight into the automated other sections of the Introduction
manufacturing process. These to Power and Metal Fabrication
processes are common to the classes utilizing it extensively. The
manufacturing industry which will implementation of this grant has
hire many of our graduating helped update the equipment for
students. It will also provide the the high school Ag Shop with a
students valuable feedback in the newer model that is used in
design process. industry. The MIG welder that the
(continued on next page) Ag Lab had up to this point was a
2001 model, with another model
These are examples of the true-to-life that dates back to the 1980’s.
capabilities of the MakerBot Replicator 2 Students have quickly adapted to
using the Millermatic and have
Desktop 3DPrinter. developed some new techniques.

The students enjoy the digital read Senior Ethan Johnson shows the new
-outs, and teacher grant recipient welder, cabling, and safety helmet.
Jeff Moore definitely enjoys
knowing that the machine is
reliable and consistent with
industry and output.

Page 5 Phelps County Community Foundation, 504 4th Avenue, Holdrege NE 68949 ~ (308) 995-6847 ~ www.phelpsfoundation.org

holdregedusters.org “Giving Back to Education” November 2013

3D Printer (continued) Science teacher Tom Brestel and Chemistry students Isaac Hohman
and Margaret Gardner show Duster Grant how to find wavelengths of
Mr. Shield stated that previously,
one of the challenges he had as an different color light emitting diodes using the SpectroVis Plus.
instructor, was to inspire students to
design models and study engineering Spectrophotomer Lab Expands
when they never actually see, hold,
touch, or feel their designs as a final The ability for HHS students to learn about spectroscopy, the study of
physical product. To many students, visible light dispersed according to its wavelength, has been expanded
the models they design on the in Tom Brestel’s science classrooms thanks to a follow-up grant to
computer screen are often perceived purchase two additional spectrophotometers and the corresponding
as unobtainable “fantasy” objects. interface needed to link student computers.
The 3D printer takes models the Spectroscopy is a staple of many science vocations. Chemists use
students design with computer-aided spectroscopy to identify compounds and concentrations of compounds
drafting software and creates plastic in solutions. Physicists use spectroscopy to identify wavelengths of
versions. HPS has now been able to light. Astronomers use spectroscopy to identify the elements in stars.
join the ranks of other schools that Hospitals use various spectroscopic techniques to test oxygen content of
offer students the opportunity to blood and many other medical tests. Spectroscopy is used to help
learn this technology. students understand these concepts in Physics, Chemistry, and 11th
Matt Allmand, President of Allmand Grade Applied Science classes, so, most of the student body benefits.
Brothers, Inc. and Chairman of the Mr. Brestel has used the Spectrophotometers in a Chemistry Lab
HPS Foundation Committee involving finding the energies of the photons emitted from different
commented, “The community is one color LEDs to make use of Plank’s Constant. The students used the
of our five stakeholder groups and spectrophotometers to find the frequency of each of a red, orange,
this was a great opportunity to serve yellow, green, and blue LED to show that the energy of the emitted
the community and help support photons was proportional to the
students learning about an important frequency. This provides a major step in
emerging technology.” the understanding of quantum theory
needed to explain the electrons in atomic
The 3D Printer and items fabricated by orbitals. The Applied Science students
CADD students. will do a simplified version of this
activity in the 3rd quarter and the physics
students will do an extended version of
the activity in April or May.

Page 6 Phelps County Community Foundation, 504 4th Avenue, Holdrege NE 68949 ~ (308) 995-6847 ~ www.phelpsfoundation.org

holdregedusters.org “Giving Back to Education” November 2013

Join the Holdrege Duster ©Lacy Chapman Photography & Design
Alumni Association
Alumni feature writer Kristine (Long) Jacobson, husband Chadd
One of the HPS Foundation Committee’s Jacobson, and their future Duster alums Sam, Andrew, and Ella
goals is to extend the reach beyond the
community to maintain a viable database The Face Behind Our Alumni Recognition Features
that will help Holdrege High School
Alumni keep connected and will be a HHS alums and HPS Foundation supporters have been enjoying the monthly Alumni
valuable tool for organizing reunions and Recognition Features the past year via email. We’d like to extend appreciation to our
communicating with classmates. The alumni feature writer. Kristine (Long) Jacobson and husband Chadd graduated in 1990
response to initial efforts in contacting from HHS and from UNL in 1994. Kristine’s degree in journalism prepared her well for
alumni and creating the Duster Alumni working at the Kearney Hub and for the past 10 years at the YMCA of the Prairie,
Association has been overwhelmingly where she is currently serving as the marketing manager. Chadd is a farmer and owns a
positive with nearly $20,000 in membership Sygenta/Golden Harvest seed dealership. The Jacobson’s have three children—Sam is
contributions as well as a pledge for an an eighth grader at HMS, while Andrew and Ella are third graders.
estate gift of $100,000! Our goal is to Kristine shared, "I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Duster alums from across
continue reaching out to all alumni via the decades this past year. It's fun to hear how our graduates have made an impact,
email newsletters to keep them abreast of some right here in Holdrege and some around the country and world."
the growth, development, and success of the
HPS Foundation and the Holdrege Public Duster Alumni Association—Join Today!
Schools system.
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP—billed annually (couple rate—if both are HHS Alumni)
If you are a Holdrege Alum, join us in Please check appropriate category and submit with payment as directed below.
our mission to enhance educational
programs and give back to the students of Enthusiast—$25 or $35 per couple Fan Club—$50 or $75 per couple
HPS. Your investment is guaranteed
dividends in any economic time. Cheerleader—$100 or $150 per couple Purple & Gold Pride—$250 or $350 per couple

If you have questions or would like to be Duster Lifetime Booster—$1,500 or $2,000 per couple—one-time only payment
added to the e-mail list, please register from
the Alumni tab at holdregedusters.org or NAME(S)
call the Holdrege Public Schools Central
Office at (308) 995-8663. ADDRESS

EMAIL

YOUR GIFT IS TAX-DEDUCTIBLE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: HPS Foundation

SEND TO: Phelps County Community Foundation, 504 4th Avenue, Holdrege, NE 68949

Page 7 Phelps County Community Foundation, 504 4th Avenue, Holdrege NE 68949 ~ (308) 995-6847 ~ www.phelpsfoundation.org